Parenting is not called the toughest job on earth for nothing. You are responsible for the physical, emotional and mental development of another human being, while ensuring a healthy and loving relationship. Also, throw in the invaluable experience of making memories and having fun. How do you guarantee that your child grows up into a well-rounded individual, while keeping your sanity intact? Here are 10 smart parenting moves that every aspiring ‘super mom’ should be aware of...

1. How to help your child deal with set backs: Make your child understand that disappointments are a part of life and should be treated as such. Help your child put things into perspective and don’t compare him with others. Focus on fixing the problem and embrace your child, including his weaknesses. Show love, hug, comfort and assure him that it’s going to be alright and that together you will find a way, tomorrow is another day. This will help him view failure as a transitory stage, and not something that he is doomed to live with forever. It will also teach him not to be over confident with success, as this phase can also change anytime. So he will learn to savor it while it lasts.

2. How to teach your child to respect her body: Ensure that you teach your child that keeping her body clean and healthy is not an option. It is something that will stand her in good stead for the rest of her life. Teach your child to pay attention to what she is putting into his body and how it affects her. For instance, you can tell your child how snacking on a banana before a race or any sporting activity will give him a dose of energy that no chocolate or chips can. Learn to take a middle path where the kids get to choose what they eat, at least on weekends.

3. How to help your child manage money: Teach your child how to ‘manage’ money. Knowing how the money comes home will help him respect it more and value the things he has. Give him a couple of piggy banks and help him set up a ‘savings’ and ‘current’ account with his pocket money.

4 How to teach your child to be happy: Teaching your child how to savor the little pleasures of life and taking out the time to do things that she enjoys will help her not to look outside for a dose of pleasure. Ensure that you spend quality time with her, doing things that she loves. So whether it is laughing over cartoons or going for a walk, do what makes you both happy.

5. How to help your child to be independent: Gift your child the ability to do things without help, early on. Give your child age appropriate chores that will slowly ease her into the habit of doing her own chores. This will make her more confident of her abilities to handle situations on her own.

6. How to help your children be fitter (and have a life beyond TV and computer games): The main thing that needs to change here is your attitude. In today’s times it is so much easier for you as a parent to justify (to yourself in most cases) as to why it is not ‘safe’ to let the child play outside. Look at the risks- allergies, infections, and kidnappers. It’s a virtual jungle out there. Take the time out to ensure that your child spends some time in the day playing outdoors. “Educational computer games” are not a substitute for outdoor play. So just like you insist on study time, guitar classes and doctor visits make play time non negotiable. It will help your child unwind after a tough day. He will have a better appetite, sleep better and even concentrate better.

7. How to teach your child to pray: While you do not have to force your child to chant numerous ‘mantras’ while itching to sneak out, teach him to trust in a higher power and be grateful for what he has. Praying together and sitting silently in a relaxed atmosphere, will teach your child to calm himself down when he is stressed.

8. How to teach your child to ask “why”: As Voltaire rightly said “Judge a man by his questions, rather than his answers” So the next time your child asks you how glass was invented, while learning about a microscope don’t tell him not to ‘waste’ his time by asking ‘out of syllabus’ questions. Instead find out the answer together (what else is Google for?) and explain it to him. Teaching your child not to passively accept information provided to him, is one of the greatest gifts you can give him. Only where there is curiosity there is scope for learning and creativity.

9. How to teach your child to fight his own battles: The key here for you as a parent, is to know when to get involved and when to let your child sort out his problems on his own. Remember that in most cases it is better to play the supportive role; curb your urge to fly to your child’s rescue, each time he is excluded from a game or being bossed around by a playmate. Give your child a chance to use his own skills to solve these issues, and you will be rewarded with a child who is better prepared for life.

10. How to teach your child to grieve: Death is a very uncomfortable topic especially when you have to explain it to kids. But remember that your child, regardless of his ability to express himself, may be grieving deeply inside. Talk to him in a way he can understand. Give age appropriate explanations. So if his pet fish dies, do not downplay it, offer him sympathy and comfort him and make him understand that it is a part of life. Encourage him to talk about his feelings, tell him that it is ok to feel bad.

Parenting is not called the toughest job on earth for nothing. You are responsible for the physical, emotional and mental development of another human being, while ensuring a healthy and loving relationship. Also, throw in the invaluable experience of making memories and having fun. How do you guarantee that your child grows up into a well-rounded individual, while keeping your sanity intact? Here are 10 smart parenting moves that every aspiring ‘super mom’ should be aware of...